The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) says it would demolish all structures illegally built on lands belonging to airports across the country.

FAAN made the pledge after the demolition of 13 houses in Ajao Estate, Lagos, which it claimed encroached on the Lagos airport land.

In tweets on Tuesday, the agency said residents had been warned not to purchase and occupy the lands but they ignored the warnings.

FAAN said its officials met with occupants of the land and most of the residents adhered with their directives while a few ignored the warnings and continued erecting structures in the “Red Zones.”

It added that 254 houses were evaluated and 220 buildings were called for regularisation after an investigation was conducted by the agency to determine whether the houses built on the encroached land posed danger to the activities of Lagos airport.

The management said occupants of 34 houses built within the perimeter of the airport were duly notified before the agency carried out demolition activities in the area. 

On Friday, the General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency, Gbolahan Oki, said developers and property owners should follow the due process before commencing building projects in Lagos.

Mr Oki noted that the Ajao Estate demolition was carried out by the agency in compliance with the planning structure of Lagos.

He said the removal of the 13 illegal structures showed that the government prioritises the living conditions of its residents, adding that the government will not fold its arms and allow the irresponsibility of an individual to cause the death of others. 

Meanwhile, the president of Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, (COSEYL), Lagos chapter, Goodluck Ibem, claimed that the demolitions were fuelled by ethnic hostilities. 

He alleged that houses marked for demolition in Ajao Estate belonged to Igbo people living in Lagos.

Mr Ibem warned the Lagos government to stop demolishing houses belonging to Igbos in Lagos, adding that Nigerians are legally allowed to live in places of their choice around the country.